Means for supporting lamp-receptacles.



No. 886,267. PATENTED APR. 28, 1908.

J. S. STEWART.

MEANS FOR SUPPORTING LAMP REGEP'I'AGLES. APPLICATION FILED APR.12,1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

UNITED STATES PATENT orr on.

JAMES S. STEWART, OFNEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO ANNIE STEWART, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MEANS FOR SUPPORTING LAMP-RECEPTAGLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 28, 1908.

Application filed April 12, 1907. Serial No. 367,752.

citizen of the United States, residing at New- York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Sgpporting Lam -Receptacles, of which the fo owing is a fu clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to a form of lam receptacle or similar electrical appliance w llCll is adapted for use for out-door and interior purposes where the lamps are designed to be Xed to and supported by a solid frame or object such as an electric sign, the decorations or tower of a building or the walls or ceilings thereof.

A large part of the wiring of the above character is exposed to the weather and rains, and has to be made so as to revent in ress of water to the interior metal fic parts 0 the lamp receptacles. For this purpose a form of rece )tacle has been largely adopted in which t 1e usual threaded shell of the receptacle is cemented within a sealed porcelain cup or block, the usual circuit wires being permanently connected within the receptacle when it is manufactured, and assed through openings which are afterwarr s hermetically closed by pitch or other waterproof insulatin cement. In most cases receptacles of this character are merely suported by these circuit wires so that they ang down loosely from the base to which they are connected. In electric signs and other conditions where this is im racticable, the receptacles have been forme with integral porcelain lugs erforated to receive attachment screws. 11 other cases thereceptacle has been designed to fit snugly ina properly formed recess in a supporting plate of wood or metal. Both of these arrangements are objectionable in practice; the first because porcelain is a very brittle material, and the lugs are liable to break off, es ecially when strained by the insertion of screws. The second arrangement is objectionable, because in many cases insurance regulations forbid seating the receptacle snugly in a recess of wood or metal.

In carrying out the present invention I rovide a different arran ement of supportmg the porcelain receptacle, and which is not wood liable to breakage, and which complies with all insurance regulations. I make use of certain arts conveniently stamped from sheet metal which cooperates with the porcelain to form a firm support therefor, and one which is adapted for connection with all sorts of supporting walls, frames, and other fixed objects.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is aside elevation of a receptacle having fastening or attaching means embodying the principles of my invention; Fi same; Fig. 3 is a front view of the porcelain block or body with the metallic fastening device removed; Fig. 4 is a side view thereof Fig. 5 is a face view of what I shall term the main fastening device; Fig. 6 is a similar view showing a su plemental fastening device; Fig. 7 is a si e view of the rece tacle engaged by the fastening devices of igs. 5 and 6 Fig. 8 is a front view of the same and Fig. 9 is a side elevation showing a third fastenin member organized to support the receptac e in inclined position from a fixed wall or frame.

Referring to the drawings in which like parts are designated by the same reference sign, 1 indicates the body of a receptacle of porcelain or other insulating material, which may be of any suitable or desired form. I have shown a water-proof receptacle havingleading-in wires 2, but it is obvious that the For this purpose 2 is a front viewof the invention is not restricted to an out-door receptacle of this character.

3 indicates a bead or rib or other projection formed on the body 1, and preferably extending circumferentially around the same. This rib or bead is notched or interrupted at the points 4 and may be additionally notched or recessed at the points 5. The main fastening device 6, shown in Fig. 5, is best stamped in one piece from sheet metal. A convenient form is that shown having an annular portion 7, flanged or rimmed inward at 8.

' 9 denotes lugs or internal projections formed on the annular portion 7, conveniently at diametrically opposite points, to correspond with the notches or interruptions 4 of the bead 3 of the body. There are also formed a pair of outwardly turned ears or extensions 10, on the fastening device 6, which may have central holes 11, to receive screws, bolts or suitable fastening devices.

diameter of the body 1.

In many cases the single fastening device 6 is sufficient to support the receptacle in the desired relation on a supporting frame or plate. For example, in Figs. 1 and 2 I have illustrated a supporting plate 12, with per forations 13, of a size corresponding to the The receptacle is merely inserted in these openings 13, until the .bead or rib 3 abuts snugly against the plate 12. The fastening device 6 is thereupon slipped over the body of the receptacle from the other side thereof so as to surround and inclose the bead or rib 3, with its annu lar portion 7, the fastening device being then secured to the plate 12 by the screws and bolts 14. In this relation the lugs or protuberances 9 enter the notches or interruptions 4 of the bead or rib 3, and the flange or rim 8 extends around the bead 3 on the side thereof opposite to that engaged by the plate 12. The receptacle is thereby clamped to the plate 12, and securedagainstrotation or movement in any direction, notwithstanding the somewhat severe strains which are applied in inserting and removing lamps. But notwithstanding the fact that this engagement is very unyielding, since the parts are all made with a certain amount of looseness or back lash, which prevents any shrinking or binding strains which might break the porcelain.

In Figs. 7 and 8 a form of supporting plate 12 is shown which has large square or rectangular openings 13 therein. This form of supporting plate with large openings is necessitated in some cases by insurance regulations which prevent the receptacle being closely fitted in a wooden framework. A further requisite arises from the fact that where the openings 13 are elongated it may be desired to position the receptacles at different oints thereof, for example, according to the etter to be made in an electric sign. Under these circumstances, I make use of an auxiliary fastening device '15,which is shown in Fig. 6. This is a flat sheet metal stamping with a central opening 16, corresponding to the diameter of the body 1, and 18 provided with lateral extensions or ears 17, adapted to register with the cars 10 of the main fastening device 6. These cars 17 have holes 18, corresponding to the holes 11 of the other fastening device 6. The member 15 is merely assembled upon the receptacle to engage the front side of the bead or rib 3 in lace of the plate 12 shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

he re istering ears 10 and 17 are then clamps by the screws or bolts 14 to the body of the plate 12 in which relation the re ceptacle is held centrally in the large opening 13 of the support. While I have illustrated this particular construction of plate 15, having a form which completely surrounds the receptacle 1, it is evident that this is not absolutely essential, since any shape engaging secure, it is not absolutely the ears 10 of the member 6 and lapping over the bead or'rib 3 of the body 1, is all that is required.

When a supplemental fastening device 15, is used, it may be made with diametrically opposite indentations, producing a pair of small lugs or protuberances 19 on the other side which engage the notches 5 of the head or rib 3. This engagement is sufficient to hold the body of the receptacle against rotation, so that the lugs 9 of the main fastening device 6 may be dispensed with under these circumstances.

In Fig. 9 an additional fastening device or member 20 is provided, and which is used in connection with the fastening devices of Figs. 5 and 6. The member 20 is bailshaped with a screw extension 21, and terminal ears 22, perforated to receive screws or bolts. The receptacle body is assembled between the fastening devices 6 and 15 in the manner already described, and then bolted to the extensions 22 of the bail 20, by the screws or bolts 14. It is clear that this form of fastening device may be screwed upon a vertical wall in inclined relation as shown, therebypermitting the water to drain from the edges of the receptacles and not enter to corrode the metallic parts and connections.

While the use of a bail 20 is best adapted to secure the lamp receptacles in an inclined relation, this is not absolutely essential, since the fastening devices 6 and 15 or 6 alone, may be bent before or after they are positioned on their supporting frame, to give the lamp receptacle an incliried relation thereon if desired.

What I claim, is

1. In combination with a lamp receptacle having a body with a circumferential bead or rib, a fastening device adapted to detachably engage and surround said rib to hold and support the same.

2. In combination with a lamp receptacle having an integral bead or rib formed thereon, a fastening device having an annular portion adapted to surround said bead or rib and having means cooperatingtherewith to prevent relative rotation.

3. In combination with a lam having an annular rib or bea integrally formed thereon, a fastening device having an annular ortion adapted to surround said bead and having an internal rim or flange adapted to lap over the edge of the said bead on to-the rear surface thereof, and means whereby said fastening device is removable.

4. In combination with a lamp receptacle having a notched or interru ted integral bead thereon, a fastening device having an annular portion adapted to surround said bead and having an internal lug or perforation to engage the notch thereof.

5. In combination with a lamp receptacle having a notched or interrupted integral receptacle bead thereon, a fastening device adapted to surround said bead and having a lug or protuberance to engage the notch thereof, said fastening device having an ear or extension perforated to receive a fastening device.

6. In combination with a lamp receptacle having a notched or interrupted integral bead thereon, a fastening device adapted to surround said bead and having a lug or 'protuberance to engage the notch thereof, said fastening device having an ear or extension perforated to receive a fastening device and eing internally rimmed or flanged to lap over and cover the rear face or wall of said bead.

7. In combination with a lamp receptacle having an integral bead thereon, a fastening device adapted to surround said bead, and an additional member cooperating therewith to hold said fastening device in place upon said bead and removable from said fastening device whereby the latter is removable from the bead.

8. In combination with a lamp receptacle having an integral bead thereon, a fastening device having a flanged rim adapted to surround said bead and lap over the rear side thereof, and removable means cooperating therewith to lock said bead in said fastening device.

9. In combination with a lamp receptacle having an integral bead thereon, a fastening device adapted to surround said bead and lap over one side thereof, means cooperating therewith to lock said fastening device on said bead, and additional means engaging said fastening device to support the receptacle in any desired relation.

10. In combination with a lamp receptacle having an integral bead thereon, a fastening device adapted to surround said bead and lap over one side thereof, means cooperating therewith to lock said fastening device on said bead, and additional means engaging said fastening device and adapted to hold the receptacle in an inclined relation.

In witness whereof, I subscribe my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES S. STEWART.

Witnesses:

WM. M. STOCKBRIDGE, WALDO M. CHAPIN. 

